Sgt. Joshua Dee Myers

Wednesday

Jul 24, 2013 at 2:00 AM

Sgt. Joshua Dee Myers passed away July 10, 2013 in Edgewood, Wash. He was born May 29, 1979, at Loma Linda University Medical Center in Loma Linda, Calif., to Jay Dee Myers and Michele Burdette Myers. Joshua grew up in Southern California. He loved playing football, and he graduated from Fontana High School in California. After high school he volunteered as a sawyer on a Hot Shot fire crew and the U.S. Forest Service hired him as a firefighter where he served for two fire seasons. Joshua's father was born in the Rogue Valley, so Joshua became fond of the valley when they visited relatives during his childhood. He and his parents made the Rogue Valley their home in 1998 and Joshua enlisted in the U.S. Army.

Joshua served God and his country for over 14 years in the U.S. Army and was medically retired May 30, 2013. After 9/11, Joshua felt the call to dedicate his life to fighting terrorism and became one of the elite 18D Special Forces Medical Sergeants on a U.S. Army Green Beret team stationed at Fort Lewis, Wash. He earned many commendations including the Bronze Star, which is an individual military decoration and the fourth-highest award for bravery, heroism, or meritorious service. Joshua completed several tours of duty in Afghanistan, Iraq, the Philippines, etc.

Joshua was committed to family, friends, and freeing the oppressed from terrorism. Like his father, Joshua was passionate about the Oregon wilderness, gold prospecting, hunting and fishing, and seemed happiest while camping and playing in the great outdoors. He enjoyed movies, a good martini, and playing his music really loud. Joshua seemed to excel at anything he set his mind to. He was an amazing artist, he had an infectious sense of humor, and he spoke Mandarin Chinese. Joshua had a big, kind, and generous heart that will now live on in the lives of all he touched.

He is survived by his son, Joshua Dee Jr.; daughter, Audrey Taylor; mother, Michele Burdette; and extended loving family and numerous friends.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Jay Dee Jr., his father, Jay Dee Sr., and numerous military comrades.

A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. sharp (per Joshua) Saturday, July 27, 2013 at Trail Christian Fellowship, 18881 Hwy. 62, Eagle Point, Ore. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in honor of Sgt. Joshua Dee Myers to Samaritan's Purse via samaritanspurse.org